1908

Morris Cooper creates workwear production company
the Morris Cooper factory, which later becomes Lee Cooper.
Since its humble beginnings in the East end of London at a run-down premises
on 94-96 Middlesex Street, Lee Cooper has now become recognised
as Europe’s first and oldest, authentic denim brand.

1914

With the arrival of the first world war,
the company converts its production of workwear clothing to military uniforms.
Now known for creating uniforms for the British troops, Lee Cooper demonstrates
strength and durability in its long-lasting products.
By 1931, Lee Cooper is known for specialising in what was then known as ‘Navy’ clothing,
which included denim, workwear, trousers and jackets.

1937-1939 's

With a different direction, Morris Cooper opens
a brand new factory in Stratford in East London. Over the year,
the company grows significantly and as a result makes a profit
by the end of the first year. In 1939, As the Second World War approaches,
Morris Cooper is contacted by the War Office, who places an order for a thousand denim fatigue suits.
From this point the company is officially requisitioned by the British forces to manufacture uniforms
for the armed forces.

1950

Lee Cooper’s work wear strengthens the brand’s reputation
for making tough, hardwearing, high quality work clothes, and is in turn
embraced by 80% of the UK market.
The Lee Cooper brand appears in print for the first time.

1952-1954 's

Lee Cooper introduces jeans for ladies.
When Lee Cooper launches the “front zip� for their ladies jeans,
there is an outcry from a shocked public. The range for women increases in size,
and ladies dungarees appear the following year. Later on in 1954,
Lee Cooper releases their first line of children’s clothing.

1955

Lee Cooper thrives to become a premium brand in Britain,
designing numerous original cuts for men and women and eventually
launching slacks and jeans as two separate product lines.
They expand by opening a new factory in Holland.

1960-1969 's

In 1960, Lee Cooper produce tartan slacks,
the hottest item in the clothing range. The brand also start
producing jeans for Blue Bell Apparel. In 1963, “Shrink to fit� arrived on the scene,
producing the popular “shrinker jean.� Later on 1964, Lee Cooper's PVC jeans cause a stir
in London's Carnaby Street. The vibrant 60s inspire a new range of coloured jeans which take London
by storm in 1966. Lee Cooper t-shirts are introduced to the range, a year later. In 1968, coloured jeans
become so popular that newspapers declare that “Denim is Dead.� In 1969, Flower power,
peace and love result in the first Lee Cooper decorated jeans.

1971

Lee Cooper mini skirts cause a stir across Europe as hemlines
go from mini to maxi to mini again. The Lee Cooper product range introduces
hot pants for girls, suede jeans for men and safari suits.
Then come the launch of the Lee Cooper “love� jean, the “cherry jean�
and the first 32� bell-bottom flair.

1975-1977 's

An ultra-modern, environmentally conscious
production facility in Tunisia is opened. Lee Cooper tank tops and
hipsters lead the way across the universities of Europe. In 1976, Checks made an unexpected
return to the Lee Cooper’s product range. As the rock sound of the sixties gave way to the disco sound
of the 70's, colourful corduroys and other fabrics come back into style. In 1977,
Corduroy is king as Lee Cooper re-emphasises colour and fabrics in the range.

1978 - 1979

Punk and New Wave music hit the clubs with a vengeance,
and so do Lee Cooper’s “stonewashed� jeans.

1980

Lee Cooper becomes a sponsor of legendary rock bands
including the Rolling Stones, UB 40, Serge Gainsbourg, and Rod Stewart.
The hipster jean makes a comeback as stretch denim hits Europe
for the first time and becomes an instant success.

1981-1982 's

Lee Cooper introduces stretch cord as the
super skin tight "paint on" jeans take off. A year later,
The Rolling Stones sponsorship takes Lee Cooper to concert fans across the UK,
establishing Lee Cooper as the go-to brand for rockstars and music fans.

1983

Fashion changes again, and Lee Cooper launch the first "jogging jean"
with drawstring. Legendary fashion photographer and artist
Jean Paul Goude is brought on board and harnesses hard glamour
and breathtaking imagery for his innovative yet unorthodox approach
to the Lee Cooper campaign.

1985-1990 's

In 1985, Lee Cooper launch a new softer range
of denim, emphasising its European origin. Punk music and fashion
inspire Lee Cooper to offer unwashed jeans for the first time in 5 years.
The brand later release “distressed� jeans. In 1988, Stretch denim becomes popular again,
and the fashion world is awash with Lee Cooper’s “acid wash� jeans. A big thing happened in 1989,
Lee Cooper shows its first shoe range. Also, as eco-awareness grows,
Lee Cooper makes use of enzyme washes for the first time in 1990.

1992

As demand increases, all production is moved to Lee Cooper’s
world class factory in Tunisia. There is a major growth in global reach,
with new licensed markets in former Eastern Europe, Asia and South America.

1994-1995 's

The long standing Lee Cooper logo is changed
to the one that we recognise today, and the LC range is introduced.
A year later, Lee Cooper launches a new collection called ‘3 by 1’,
the first 5 pocket slack jean to hit the market.

2000

Lee Cooper is recognised as one of the top selling authentic European
denim brands. The company understands that innovation, comfort, style
and performance is what the new generation are looking for, and with that in mind
Lee Cooper introduces “Perform Your Life!� a new practical ethos for the brand.

2001

Lee Cooper confirms their commitment to Xfit Lycra, to create
the best fitting denim in the world. And with Lee Cooper’s new brand ethos,
they create a range of Aqua denim, a modern water resistant range of jeans.
Following this, Lee Cooper releases the Platinum collection, a distinctive range
themed on British heraldry. Attention to details include elaborate embroidery,
mother of pearl buttons as well as exclusive platinum thread.

2003

Formerly known as Red Diamond, the RDLC collection consists of three stories
including a classical line called The Great British male and Young Rockers,
an edgy range offering extreme washing and slimmer silhouettes.

2007

French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac joins forces with
Lee Cooper to create a collection called JCDC Denim.
The collection is took inspiration from British 1960’s rock icons and rejuvenated
Lee Coopers musical roots.

2008

Lee Cooper collaborates with french model and actress Lou Doillon,
bringing back the brand’s heritage with previous brand ambassadors
(and Doillon’s parents) Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin.

Lee Cooper supplies denim jackets and suits for over 1,200 members of the British Olympic and para-Olympic team for the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympics. The collection aims to break the mould of traditional parade and formal wear, and is designed by Olympian Sarah Winckless, a gold medallist in rowing to have both comfort and style.

Lee Cooper release a range inspired by The Beatles.

Lee Cooper collaborates with Parisian It boy Ora Ito, a specialist in interior and technical design. The designer creates a new centenary logo, a collection of t-shirts, jackets and jeans all based on Origami.

2009

In 2009, Lee Cooper collaborates with UK-based artist Ronzo Jonny Fu
who produces the art project "City Escapades!� presented by east London
collective All City. Shown in a pop up store in Covent Garden for two weeks,
the exhibition showcases some of the collective’s latest work along with customised
Lee Cooper denim. A dozen pairs of customised jeans depicting urban landscapes and graphics are available to purchase from the pop up store.